Richard R. Lepak

Richard R. Lepak:

65, of 6096 County Line Drive, Rosholt, passed away on Tuesday, September 9, 2008 with his loving wife of 45 years, Rita, and his family at his side after a 16-month battle with cancer. Richard (Dick) was born on October 12, 1942 in Stevens Point to the late Peter & Selma (Glisczinski) Lepak. He graduated in 1960 from Pacelli High School. On October 20, 1962 he married his high school sweetheart, Rita L Palbrach. Shortly thereafter, he worked for Amwood Homes before starting his own residential construction company, Community Builders. While owning his own company, Dick was also very active in the Central Wisconsin Home Builders Association and was named Builder of the Year in 1985. He also served as President while in the Association. Dick was an avid outdoorsman. Hunting & fishing were his passion and he always looked forward to taking his grandchildren to the woods or the water. He is one of only a few who actually enjoyed fishing whether it was 90 degrees above or 30 degrees below zero. Over his lifetime many memories were created while camping, fishing, hunting or cruising with family and friends.

In the early 1970s, Dick, Rita and a few other avid bow hunting enthusiasts formed the Blackhawk Archers Inc. He remained active in the club until his death. Dick & Rita were the only remaining charter members of the organization. Dick's dream was to see that the Blackhawk Archers had their own clubhouse with an indoor and outdoor shooting range. He was instrumental in making this vision come true. He was named a lifetime member of the club for his involvement. He liked to work his land, be it his garden, pumpkin patch or ginseng field. In 1985, he was named Ginseng Grower of the Year for the quality of his crop.

The cornerstone of Dick's life was his faith in God. An unpretentious man, he prayed daily and attended church regularly. He raised his daughters to do the same. He was a very active parishioner at St. Stanislaus Parish. He was a member of the Holy Name Society and the Finance Council. For the past 33 years, many in our community will know Dick as the parish's Thursday night bingo caller.

Dick selflessly gave of his time & talent for the benefit of others. In addition to his work at St. Stan's, he worked as a Ministry Health Care Lifeline volunteer as well a prior secretary of Moose Lodge # 1572. Sponsoring a child from Honduras for the past 10 years brought great joy to him and his child especially when they had the opportunity to meet in 2006.

Dick is survived by his wife, Rita; four daughters, Sandra (Steve) Retzki, Custer, Christine (Brian) Adamski, Pulaski, Linda (Rob) Stroik, Stevens Point, and Cindy (Wayne) Kropidlowski, Rosholt. 8 grandchildren, Kyle & Calvin Retzki, Brenna & Bryce Adamski, Megan & Brad Stroik, and Tony & Nathan Kropidlowski. He is further survived by 2 sisters, Esther (Joe) Severa, Waunakee, Lorraine (Louie) Chojnacki, Wisconsin Rapids; and one brother, Stanley Lepak (special friend, Clara Feltz) Stevens Point. He was preceded in death by his parents and an infant son, John.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, September 13 at 10:30am at St. Stanislaus Catholic Church. Rev. Al Jakubowski officiating. Burial will follow in the Guardian Angel Cemetery.

Family & Friends are invited to gather to share memories on Friday from 4:00pm to 8:00pm at the Pisarski/Dzikoski Funeral Home and again on Saturday from 9:30am until time of services at the funeral home. St. Stanislaus Holy Name Society will combine with the general rosary at 7:00pm Friday at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Stanislaus Church.

For online condolences, please visit www.pisarskifuneralhome.com.

Thank you to everyone, including Ministry Hospice, who supported our family during these difficult days. Your prayers, thoughts and memories mean so much to us. Dad, go rest high on that mountain for your work here on earth is through.

Pisarski/Dzikoski Funeral Home

Stevens Point

344-4595